Grammy-Nominated Alum Shares Berklee Wisdom with His Student Sister I thought graduating with a double major would be the key to success, Carlos Perez de Anda BM '14 tells his sister Andrea, but it was the relationships I built that truly opened doors.
By
Andrea Recalde
February 6, 2025
Carlos Perez de Anda BM '14
Image courtesy of the artist
Many of us at Berklee dream about turning our time here into a successful and fulfilling career in the music industry. Still, the path isn't always as glamorous as we imagine. As a current Berklee student, I have found myself wondering how to make the most of this experience and if many of the things I do here will benefit me in the future.
Luckily, I didnt have to look far for some real-world insight-my brother, Carlos Perez de Anda BM '14, graduated with a double major in music production and engineering (MP&E) and electronic production and design and has since built a successful career within the industry. While at Berklee, he won the MP&E/EPD Dual Major Award; since graduating, he has worked with artists such as Beyonc , Alicia Keys, and Shakira. He's got one Grammy nomination and two Latin Grammy nominations under his belt. Currently, Carlos works as the studio manager and chief engineer at Alacran Studios in Miami, Florida.
As his sister, I have seen him grow, struggle, and flourish into the person he is today. I recently had the opportunity to interview him, giving him the space to share his insights from the perspective of a successful former Berklee student.
In our conversation, Carlos discussed the realities of moving to Los Angeles right after graduation, the challenges of working with major labels, and why the best advice is never to work for free. He also stressed the importance of finding balance, staying true to yourself, and being patient in an industry that often feels like a race against time.
If you could return to your years at Berklee, what would you do differently? What advice would you give yourself?Id take it slower-theres no rush; thats the first thing Id say to myself. Im proud of graduating with a dual major in MP&E and EPD, but I wish I hadnt rushed through semesters or felt the need to graduate quickly. Id skip the condensed summer semesters, and I wouldnt change anything except my mindset from, I gotta graduate, to, Lets enjoy this.
How did you find a music-related job after Berklee? How essential is it to make connections here?Making connections is the most important aspect of building a career-more important than your major, essays, or GPA. The relationships you form at Berklee are invaluable and will be crucial to your success. After graduation, job prospects often dip, but your network will start to resurface and create opportunities. Getting a job right after Berklee can be tough, especially in a saturated industry. You may have to start from the bottom, so its important to create consistently and reach out to others.
I thought graduating with a double major would be the key to success, but it was the relationships I built that truly opened doors. . . . It's not what you know, it's not who you know, it's who knows you.
It's not what you know, it's not who you know, it's who knows you.
- Carlos Perez de Anda BM '14
What was it like moving to LA right after Berklee? What advice would you give to people considering that for their path?First, choose a city you genuinely like; if New York differs from your vibe, you won't enjoy it. I recommend visiting the city youre considering to get a feel for it, for example, and understand the transportation options. I had family in LA, which helped, but coming from Boston, where you dont need a car, I quickly realized LA requires one. Dont rush; you have more time than you think.
How was your first experience dealing with major labels or contracts? What do you think is a common mistake people make when dealing with the business side of things for the first time?First, sort out your finances; if you work for a label, youll have a W2, making tax filing straightforward. For freelancers, create your own company to manage billing and taxes effectively. My early experiences with major labels were frustrating because they often delayed payments. Now, I get ahead by asking for a PO [purchase order] number and required forms before sending invoices to ensure I will be paid on time. Be persistent and assertive; pursue what youre owed, especially when it comes to major labels and artists, so you are credited the way you're supposed to. Always confirm details in writing, ideally through email, and consider signed contracts for extra protection.
What do you look for in people who apply to be a part of your team?Im picky when selecting team members. First, I prioritize a positive attitude; I want people who learn from their mistakes and contribute positively to the rooms energy. Second, I look for those willing to do whatever it takes and help without constant prompting. Common sense is so important, as is being attentive to detail and knowing when to talk and when to listen. Id prefer someone with the right attitude over someone technically proficient but who needs to improve in the areas that say who you are.
Do you have any other advice for current students?Its good to recognize and enjoy the different phases for what they are. We often live our current phase while thinking about the next one, which prevents us from enjoying the present. Start developing habits like eating healthily and exercising, as your body will remind you that you needed to have done that earlier. One of the biggest things to remember is that theres always a deal to be had, and its never a good idea to work for free. Instead, find ways to negotiate value, as even internships offer valuable experiences.
Andrea Recalde is a songwriting and musi
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
13/11/2026
The UIM E1 Series wraps its third season this week with the Bombay Sapphire E1 Miami GP, Nov. 11-14, on Biscayne Bay at the Miami Seaplane Base on Watson Island...
13/11/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
13/11/2026
Singer-songwriter Benson Boone will headline entertainment for the Discover NHL Winter Classic between the Utah Mammoth and Colorado Avalanche at Rice-Eccles St...
13/11/2026
Blackmagic Design has announced the Blackmagic Ambisonic Microphone, a 7th order ambisonic microphone array that captures spatial audio for immersive video prod...
13/11/2026
SMPTE has announced that The Studio B&H and Riedel Communications will provide the video infrastructure and communications technology for the Solutions Hub at t...
13/11/2026
The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) has announced the theme and program focus for the 2027 HPA Tech Retreat, which takes place Feb. 14-18, 2027, in La ...
13/11/2026
Football Manager 27 Touch is available on Apple Arcade starting today. The game ...
13/11/2026
MotoGP has announced a two-year media rights agreement with ESPN covering the Un...
13/11/2026
Apple Sports, the free iPhone app, has added the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to its lineup of supported sports, in time for Saturday's UFC 334. The...
13/11/2026
The NBA and Fanatics Studios, the joint venture between Fanatics and entertainme...
13/11/2026
ESPN held its annual EDGE Innovation Conference last night and offered up an ove...
13/11/2026
Regional sports network gives Ithaca College, SUNY Cortland students a platform to thrive
One of the biggest games in Division III college football will be pla...
13/11/2026
Studer-inspired 500-series PWM compressor unveiled
The HLabs range already includes a couple of Studer-inspired offerings in the form of the PRE169 and EQ16...
13/11/2026
Download Now!
To view the white paper, please enter the following details:
--
First Name* First Name
Company*
Country* Please select your countryA...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Blue Lucy, the workflow orchestration and integration platform for broadcasters, rights owners and localisation companies, today announced an integration with c...
13/11/2026
Krotos announces Black Friday offers on Studio Pro and Studio Max
Brie Clayton November 12, 2026
0 Comments
First-year annual plans start at US$195.99...
13/11/2026
Blackmagic Design Announces Blackmagic Ambisonic Microphone
Brie Clayton November 12, 2026
0 Comments
New 7th order ambisonic microphone with 108 MEMS...
13/11/2026
Meet the Berklee Student Setting Planetary Motion to Music With his compositional platform SoniKosmos, Javier Roqueni aims to make the universe the ultimate i...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , er...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , er...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Amagi, the media industry cloud company, today announced a partnership with Golden Times Media Technology (stock code 920021.BJ), a Beijing-based media and tech...
13/11/2026
CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB), one of the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world, together with its Malaysian partner, Cedar ...
13/11/2026
SMPTE, the home for media professionals, technologists and engineers, today announced that The Studio B&H and Riedel Communications will provide the video infra...
13/11/2026
iWedia, a global leader in connected TV software solutions, will present its software-first approach to DRAM optimization at Android TV APAC Summit 2026 in Bang...
13/11/2026
Beginning today, November 13, Apple HomeView is available for purchase at Apple Store locations, on the Apple Store online, and in the Apple Store app in select...
13/11/2026
From pediatric research to smart hospitals, AI is helping care teams spend less time on routine tasks and more time with patients.
Health systems and startups...
12/11/2026
Industry leaders examine how Dynamic Media Facility, Media eXchange Layer, and c...
12/11/2026
The junior Tar Heel is embracing the technical and creative challenges of live production while emerging as a leader and mentor in the control room...
12/11/2026
Gracenote, Nielsen's content intelligence business, has released its fifth a...
12/11/2026
RTL Deutschland will bring the NHL to free-to-air TV in Germany starting Nov. 30...
12/11/2026
Clear-Com supported On Air 2026, a 24-hour student-led broadcast connecting 45 u...
12/11/2026
uniqFEED has opened a Remote Operations Center (ROC) in Madrid, Spain. It is already operational, delivering virtual advertising for LaLiga matches. The ROC is ...
12/11/2026
Disney, ESPN and the NBA will present Dunk the Halls, the third real-time animated NBA game using Sony's Beyond Sports data visualization technology, on Chr...
12/11/2026
Van Wagner has launched Van Wagner RELAY, a digital platform for official athlet...
12/11/2026
Deal brings together two of the industry's most established graphics brands and significantly expands Vizrt's footprint in U.S. sports and regional broa...
12/11/2026
Euro TV Production GmbH of Austria has upgraded its outside broadcast vehicle with Lawo technology. The mc 36 Classic console in service since 2019 was replaced...
12/11/2026
Tagboard has launched Spark Resize, an AI-assisted tool now in beta that takes an existing graphic and produces a new version for a different aspect ratio or sc...
Grammy-Nominated Alum Shares Berklee Wisdom with His Student Sister I thought graduating with a double major would be the key to success, Carlos Perez de Anda BM '14 tells his sister Andrea, but it was the relationships I built that truly opened doors. 
